With the 2026 AFL fixture likely to be released next month, murmurings of the Opening Round and Round 1 fixtures are right around the corner too.
Opening Round is here to stay, and with all four of the northern state sides in position to contend, each matchup will be crucial for the home sides to get their new campaigns off on the right foot.
Brisbane, the reigning premiers, are likely to host the Thursday season opener or on the Friday night, unveiling their flag to locals to kickstart their defence.
All eyes will be on the Swans after their successful coup of Carlton's Charlie Curnow, while Gold Coast and GWS secured the services of Melbourne champions Christian Petracca and Clayt Oliver respectively.
Should the AFL look to maximise the story telling of the season's start, then perhaps its Sydney vs Carlton, one of Gold Coast and GWS against the Demons, and the other facing up against a fellow contender.
The Lions could host the Cats in a grand final rematch, with their corresponding Opening Round bout last year rescheduled due to Cyclone Alfred.
As for predicting how Round 1 will take shape, there are some obvious starting points...
You'd expect Carlton and Richmond to play in the first game in Victoria once more, while there have been suggestions a match could be played on the Sunday in Opening Round.
Looking to the former fixture plan, it'd be the Blues and Tigers on Thursday, March 12 at the MCG, with Hawthorn and Essendon - a more fixture contemporary tradition - now a must watch.
That clash, which would be Zach Merrett's first game for the Bombers since failing to secure a desired a move to Hawthorn, would fall on the Friday night.
The Saturday and Sunday options are a little harder to land on...
With football still to be played in Queensland and New South Wales, we've given the Suns and Swans a second straight home game to start the season, facing the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide respectively.
The Crows have been picked to take on the Suns in Opening Round as part of our prediction, with a Sunday clash - and another interstate trip - coming with an eight-day turnaround.
The Dogs vs Suns clash will be mouth-watering, with or without Jamara Ugle-Hagan's presence, which seems unlikely.
The opening game on the Saturday of Round 1 sees Geelong host North Melbourne at Kardinia Park, while there's a preliminary final rematch that night at the MCG between Collingwood and Brisbane.
With the AFL often opting for a clash on Saturday evening, we've put Port Adelaide and West Coast on 40 minutes after the opening bounce of the Magpies-Lions game, with Power fans to get their first look at new coach Josh Carr at Adelaide Oval.
The Sunday opener sees Melbourne host St Kilda at the MCG, with departed Saints skipper Jack Steele to come up against the side he didn't want to leave, while Steven King will have his first home game in charge of the Demons following their Opening Round bout with GWS.
The 3:15pm game falls to the Swans-Crows clash in the Harbour City, before Fremantle and GWS finish the Round 1 draw in Perth.
Predicted Opening Round Fixture
Thursday, March 5
Sydney vs Carlton, SCG, 7:30pm
Friday, March 6
Brisbane vs Geelong, Gabba, 7:40pm
Saturday, March 7
GWS vs Melbourne, ENGIE Stadium 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Adelaide, People First Stadium, 7:30pm
Predicted Round 1 Fixture
Thursday, March 12
Carlton vs Richmond, MCG, 7:30pm
Friday, March 13
Hawthorn vs Essendon, MCG, 7:40pm
Saturday, March 14
Geelong vs North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 1:45pm
Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs, People First Stadium, 4:35pm
Collingwood vs Brisbane, MCG, 7:30pm
Port Adelaide vs West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 8:10pm
Sunday, March 15
Melbourne vs St Kilda, MCG, 1:00pm
Sydney vs Adelaide, SCG 3:15pm
Fremantle vs GWS, Optus Stadium, 5:10pm
All times AEDT.
Collingwood and Brisbane always clash on Good Friday Eve so playing against each other in Round 1 is unlikely.